The 1967–68

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

season was the Hawks' 42nd

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

in the

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

. The team was coming off their best regular season in team history. In 1966–67, Chicago finished in first place for the first time in club history with a franchise record 94 points. The Black Hawks were then upset by the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

in six games in the NHL semi-finals.

Off-season

There were many changes in the NHL during the off-season. Most notably the league doubled in size, as six expansion teams began play in the 1967–68 season. The new teams added to the league were the

California Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967–68 NHL season, 1967 to 1975–76 NHL season, 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oa ...

(renamed to

Oakland Seals The California Golden Seals were a professional ice hockey club that competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967 to 1976. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena. The ...

in November),

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

, and

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

. The league placed all of the expansion teams in the new West Division, while the

Original Six The Original Six () are the teams that composed the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1942 and 1967. The six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. ...

teams made up a newly created East Division. The NHL schedule also increased from 70 to 74 games. The Black Hawks saw significant roster changes as they lost a number of players in the

1967 NHL expansion draft The 1967 NHL expansion draft was held on June 6, 1967, in the ballroom of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. The draft took place to fill the rosters of the league's six expansion teams for the 1967–68 season: the California Seal ...

. The most noteworthy loss was goaltender

Glenn Hall Glenn Henry Hall (born October 3, 1931) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. During his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks, and St. Louis Blues, Hall seldom missed a game and was a co ...

, left unprotected by the Hawks and drafted by the

. Chicago also made a blockbuster trade, sending

Phil Esposito Philip Anthony Esposito ( , ; born February 20, 1942) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach and executive, and current broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Lightning. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, he played 18 seasons in ...

Ken Hodge Kenneth Raymond Hodge, Sr. (born 25 June 1944) is an English-born Canadian former hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He was born in Birmingham, Engla ...

, and

Fred Stanfield Frederic William Stanfield (May 4, 1944 – September 13, 2021) was a Canadian professional ice hockey Center (ice hockey), centre who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1964–65 NHL season, 1964 until 1977–78 NHL season, 19 ...

to the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

for

Pit Martin Hubert Jacques "Pit" Martin (December 9, 1943 – November 30, 2008) was a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who served as captain for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1975 to 1977. He was an NHL All-Star and ...

, Gilles Marotte, and Jack Norris.

Regular season

A six-game losing streak to start the season left the Black Hawks in last place. Chicago then rebounded, going 20–4–12 in their next 36 games. Poor play late in the season left the team with a 32–26–16 mark, good for 80 points and the fourth and final playoff berth from the East Division. It was the team's ninth consecutive postseason appearance.

Stan Mikita Stanley Mikita (born Stanislav Guoth; May 20, 1940 – August 7, 2018) was a Slovaks, Slovak-born Canadian ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League, generally regarded as the best Centre (ic ...

led the Hawks offense. His 40 goals and 47 assists (a league-best 87 points) won him both the

Art Ross Trophy The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) player who leads the league in Point (ice hockey), points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the league by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ros ...

and

Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player to his team in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The original tr ...

for the second straight year.

Bobby Hull Robert Marvin Hull (January 3, 1939 – January 30, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His blond hair, skating speed, end-to-end rushes, and ability to shoot t ...

led the league in goals for the sixth time in his career, as he scored 44 times and earned 75 points. Kenny Wharram had another very solid season, earning 69 points, while Doug Mohns finished with 53 points. Pat Stapleton led the defense with 38 points, while

Pierre Pilote Joseph Albert Pierre Paul Pilote (December 11, 1931 – September 9, 2017) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and perennial All-Star, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), for which he served ...

finished just behind him with 37. Newly acquired Gilles Marotte led the team in penalty minutes with 122.

Denis DeJordy Joseph Denis Emile DeJordy (born November 15, 1938), is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played goal for four National Hockey League teams, most notably the Chicago Black Hawks. In 1966–67, he and Glenn Hall won the Vezina T ...

saw most of the action in goal. Playing in 50 games, DeJordy recorded a career high 23 wins, along with a team best 2.71 GAA and four shutouts.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

The Hawks would open the playoffs against the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

in the East Division semifinals. The Rangers finished the season with 90 points, which was 10 more than Chicago. The series opened up with two games at

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

in New York, and the Rangers took control of the series, winning both games for a 2–0 series lead. The series moved to

Chicago Stadium Chicago Stadium was an indoor arena in Chicago from 1929 to 1995. When it was built, it was the largest indoor arena in the world with a maximum seating capacity of 26,000. It was the home of the National Hockey League's Chicago Blackhawks and ...

for the next two games, and the Hawks responded on their home ice, winning both games to even the series up. The fifth game was played in New York, however, the Black Hawks held off the Rangers, winning the game 2–1, and took a 3–2 series lead. Chicago would wrap up the series in the sixth game at home, easily defeating the Rangers 4–1, and advance to the East Division finals. Chicago would face the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

, with the winner advancing to the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

. The Canadiens had the best record in the NHL, as they earned 94 points. Montreal swept the

in their first playoff round. The series began at the

Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

, and the Canadiens quickly took a 2–0 series lead, as they dominated the Hawks in both games, winning 9–2 and 4–1. The series moved to Chicago for the next two games, however, in the third game of the series, Montreal took a 3–0 series lead, doubling the Hawks 4–2 to put Chicago on the brink of elimination. The Black Hawks staved off elimination in the fourth game, narrowly defeating Montreal 2–1, however, in the fifth game, played in Montreal, the Canadiens ended the series with an overtime winning goal, and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.1967–68 Chicago Black Hawks Statistics – Hockey-Reference.com
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Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 11 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , - , 2 , , October 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

, , 0–2–0 , , 0 , - , 3 , , October 15 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3–0 , , 0 , - , 4 , , October 18 , ,

, , 7–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–4–0 , , 0 , - , 5 , , October 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–4 , ,

, , 0–5–0 , , 0 , - , 6 , , October 22 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–6–0 , , 0 , - , 7 , , October 25 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 0–6–1 , , 1 , - , 8 , , October 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , ,

, , 1–6–1 , , 3 , - , 9 , , October 29 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–5 , ,

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , 1–7–1 , , 3 , - , - , 10 , , November 2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 2–7–1 , , 5 , - , 11 , , November 5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 2–7–2 , , 6 , - , 12 , , November 8 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–7–2 , , 8 , - , 13 , , November 11 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 3–7–3 , , 9 , - , 14 , , November 12 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–7–3 , , 11 , - , 15 , , November 15 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 5–7–3 , , 13 , - , 16 , , November 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 5–7–4 , , 14 , - , 17 , , November 19 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 5–7–5 , , 15 , - , 18 , , November 22 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–1 , ,

, , 6–7–5 , , 17 , - , 19 , , November 23 , ,

, , 7–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 6–8–5 , , 17 , - , 20 , , November 25 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 7–8–5 , , 19 , - , 21 , , November 26 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 8–8–5 , , 21 , - , 22 , , November 29 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–8–5 , , 23 , - , - , 23 , , December 2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 9–8–6 , , 24 , - , 24 , , December 3 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 9–9–6 , , 24 , - , 25 , , December 6 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 10–9–6 , , 26 , - , 26 , , December 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , ,

, , 10–9–7 , , 27 , - , 27 , , December 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–0 , ,

, , 11–9–7 , , 29 , - , 28 , , December 13 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 12–9–7 , , 31 , - , 29 , , December 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–1 , ,

, , 13–9–7 , , 33 , - , 30 , , December 16 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–1 , ,

, , 13–9–8 , , 34 , - , 31 , , December 17 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 14–9–8 , , 36 , - , 32 , , December 20 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 15–9–8 , , 38 , - , 33 , , December 23 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 16–9–8 , , 40 , - , 34 , , December 25 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 17–9–8 , , 42 , - , 35 , , December 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–7 , ,

, , 17–10–8 , , 42 , - , 36 , , December 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 17–10–9 , , 43 , - , 37 , , December 31 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 18–10–9 , , 45 , - , - , 38 , , January 6 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 19–10–9 , , 47 , - , 39 , , January 7 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–10–9 , , 49 , - , 40 , , January 10 , ,

, , 3–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–10–10 , , 50 , - , 41 , , January 13 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

, , 20–10–11 , , 51 , - , 42 , , January 14 , ,

, , 2–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–10–12 , , 52 , - , 43 , , January 17 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–11–12 , , 52 , - , 44 , , January 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

, , 20–12–12 , , 52 , - , 45 , , January 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–6 , ,

, , 20–13–12 , , 52 , - , 46 , , January 24 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 20–14–12 , , 52 , - , 47 , , January 27 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–1 , ,

, , 21–14–12 , , 54 , - , 48 , , January 28 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 21–15–12 , , 54 , - , 49 , , January 31 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–2 , ,

, , 22–15–12 , , 56 , - , - , 50 , , February 1 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–4 , ,

, , 22–15–13 , , 57 , - , 51 , , February 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–5 , ,

, , 22–16–13 , , 57 , - , 52 , , February 4 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 23–16–13 , , 59 , - , 53 , , February 7 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–16–13 , , 61 , - , 54 , , February 10 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–6 , ,

, , 24–17–13 , , 61 , - , 55 , , February 11 , ,

, , 6–0 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 24–18–13 , , 61 , - , 56 , , February 14 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 25–18–13 , , 63 , - , 57 , , February 17 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 7–4 , ,

, , 26–18–13 , , 65 , - , 58 , , February 18 , ,

, , 1–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 27–18–13 , , 67 , - , 59 , , February 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–0 , ,

, , 28–18–13 , , 69 , - , 60 , , February 24 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 28–18–14 , , 70 , - , 61 , , February 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–0 , ,

, , 29–18–14 , , 72 , - , - , 62 , , March 2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–3 , ,

, , 29–18–15 , , 73 , - , 63 , , March 3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–4 , ,

, , 29–19–15 , , 73 , - , 64 , , March 6 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 29–20–15 , , 73 , - , 65 , , March 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–5 , ,

, , 29–21–15 , , 73 , - , 66 , , March 10 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 30–21–15 , , 75 , - , 67 , , March 13 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 31–21–15 , , 77 , - , 68 , , March 17 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–21–15 , , 79 , - , 69 , , March 20 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–22–15 , , 79 , - , 70 , , March 21 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–8 , ,

, , 32–23–15 , , 79 , - , 71 , , March 24 , ,

, , 7–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–24–15 , , 79 , - , 72 , , March 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

, , 32–25–15 , , 79 , - , 73 , , March 30 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3 , ,

, , 32–26–15 , , 79 , - , 74 , , March 31 , ,

, , 5–5 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 32–26–16 , , 80 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , ,

, , 0–1 , - , 2 , , April 9 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , ,

, , 0–2 , - , 3 , , April 11 , ,

, , 4–7 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–2 , - , 4 , , April 13 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–2 , - , 5 , , April 14 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–1 , ,

, , 3–2 , - , 6 , , April 16 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 4–2 , - , - , 1 , , April 18 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 2–9 , ,

, , 0–1 , - , 2 , , April 20 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–4 , ,

, , 0–2 , - , 3 , , April 23 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 0–3 , - , 4 , , April 25 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 1–3 , - , 5 , , April 28 , , Chicago Black Hawks , , 3–4 , ,

, , 1–4 , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Playoff stats

Scoring leaders

Goaltending

Draft picks

Chicago's draft picks at the 1967 NHL amateur draft held at the

Queen Elizabeth Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth () is a historic grand hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With 950 rooms and 21 floors it is the largest hotel in Quebec, and the second largest Fairmont hotel in Canada after the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Lo ...

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

References

Sources

Hockey-Reference
*

*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:1967-68 Chicago Black Hawks season Chicago Blackhawks seasons

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...